Keys are low vacancy rates, positive net migration

The perfect storm for long-term real estate investing in Calgary continues  to build steam despite low oil prices and fear mongering by industry  naysayers.

In fact, the six market rules Mortgage360 talks about in its Cash Flow Club meetings – which cover market vacancy rates, employment, rental rates and net migration – are still being met, even though some would have you believe the proverbial real estate sky is falling.

Two young professionals living in the inner city versus suburbia

Calgarian Crystal Scriven went five years without a car until purchasing one last September.

Her deference to driving came down to her needs at the time, but also personal preference – a sentiment shared by a growing number of young adults, suggests Zipcar's annual Millennial Survey.

The survey, released last month, found 45 per cent of millennials – the most popular definition of which is someone born between the early 1980s and early 2000s – are making a conscious effort to reduce how much they drive.

Calgary still the place to be for new developments

Despite a dip in the economy, Calgary is still a sought-after destination for developers, say industry experts.

"There's a western resiliency and an entrepreneurial spirit that [Calgary] rolls with it and looks for a brighter day in the future," said Christopher Wein, president of Toronto's Great Gulf Residential, which has submitted a development application to the City to develop a two-tower condo development in the East Village at 304 Macleod Trail S.E. across from the Harry Hayes Building.

Improved sales to new listings ratio reduces inventory gains

After the fifth consecutive monthly benchmark price decline in Calgary, the number of new home listings eased to 3,064 units in April, an 18 per cent decrease over the previous year.

"With fewer buyers making purchase decisions and improved selection for resale, new home and rental property, sellers have been either adjusting their expectations on price or delaying their plans about when to list their home," said CREB® president Corinne Lyall.

RBC makes donation to Calgary RESOLVE campaign

A 160-unit building will be constructed under Calgary's RESOLVE Campaign thanks to a $1-million donation from RBC.

The gift, presented April 17, was designated to Horizon Housing Society, which provides homes for people with mental health challenges and disabilities as well as families and seniors working below the poverty line, and the working poor.

Design your landscape to suit your neighbourhood, yourself

For homeowners, their work is never done once they've found their dream home. In fact, it's often just the beginning.

During this time of year, most owners will turn their attention to the yard. My advice: please your neighbours in the front yard and please yourself in the back. Everything else is icing on your landscape cake.

Hot tubs, fire pits, outdoor kitchens oh my!

With leaves and lawns already turning green thanks to a wealth of warm winter weather, many Calgarians may also be doing likewise as they turn to see their neighbour's backyards.

With Calgarians' well-known love for all things patio, emerging envious of thy neighbour's yard is a sin likely shared by many in the city. As many homeowners up their backyard ante, CREB®Now offers up some suggestions on how bring a little more luxury to your lawn.

Calgary distinctive in offering both metropolitan and acreage luxury

Calgary's housing market has evolved to include a luxury segment offering buyers just about anything their hearts desire, suggested a local industry expert.

"We have those individuals who want to experience the city life, so that's the downtown metropolitan living," said Mary-Ann Mears, managing broker with Sotheby's International Realty Canada.

Devil's in the details*

The myth that all mortgages are created equal is slowly unraveling.

In fact, when it comes to mortgages, one of the only things Canada's big  banks can seemingly agree on is the interest rate. Everything else varies significantly between them.

Consumers, in turn, are slowly starting to figure out every bank has its own idiosyncrasies that may not be immediately apparent.

The Parkhouses in Okotoks to launch May 1

A "pocket neighbourhood" in the popular Okotoks community of Drake Landing will be offering active, mature homebuyers an alternative to constricted apartment-style living.

The Parkhouses, a unique 50-plus adult-living project by Lifestyle Homes, will launch sales May 1.

The neighbourhood will include 31 semi-detached villa-style bungalows with front porches and rear-attached garages that will all face inward to a common park space for residents.
This pocket neighbourhood designed to promote social interaction between neighbours will be a first for the town just 18 kilometres south of Calgary.